Octomore is the super heavily peated whisky produced at Bruichladdich and the distillery described this bottle as the “backbone” of the series and the one to which the other bottles should be compared (true to form, the X.1 maturations are typically bourbon, whereas the others include wine, sherry, cognac, or new oak casks). This release was peated to 108.2 phenols ppm and distilled from Scottish barley.

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Whisky: Octomore 15.1

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 59.1%

Cask: First Fill and Recharred Bourbon

Age: 5 Years (Distilled 2018, Bottled 22 Feb. 2024)

Notes: Smoked nori chips and hints of oily mackerel provided a meaty, smokey, and maritime introduction. More subtle minerals and earth arrived with red dirt and mesquite wood, while menthol and camphor hinted at muscle rubs and cologne. Occasionally a touch feinty, as hot metal and charcoal ash lingered in the background. Medium-bodied on the palate, the whisky was earthy and drying with more subtle maritime and charcoal grill elements. Nori chips and mackerel appeared again, this time with more black pepper, ginger, and blistered shishito peppers providing a smoke-char and peppery bite to a developing fruitiness. The drying quality of the whisky accentuated its dusty earth and ashy qualities— like cleaning up a red dirt barbecue at the beach park. The finish was medium to long and drying with cracked pepper, charcoal ash, and hints of fruity blistered peppers.

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Score: 6 (78)

Mental Image: Dusty Afternoon at the Grill

Conclusion: Young and feisty, this was release was emblematic of Octomore’s spirited, phenolic flavor profile. The use of concerto barley offered some interesting variety to the classic profile, perhaps the source of the more oily-meaty maritime aspect. I enjoyed the subdued fruitiness and restrained sweetness of the whisky as this remained well-removed from the candied quality some phenolic monsters develop. The finish was nice and long with a friendly reprise of familiar notes. It was all a bit drying for my taste and if I were to quibble a bit, that is where I would start along with a bit of a feinty quality, mostly on the nose.

Overall, a big punchy affair— not the sort of whisky I pour very often. Not one for subtle evenings.